To the Earl of Stanhope Paris April 14th 1798 My Lord hoping every month to Return to England; together with the difficulty of transmiting [sic] Letters [inserted: to London], has hitherto prevented my Writing to you since my arrival In Paris, But at present I have troubeled [sic] you with a very Long Letter, the object of Which I will here explain. -Since my arrival In Paris I have been very active In my Canal pursuits. And on this subject I have Created a Revolution In the mind of all the french [sic] engineers I have met with. who are men descidedly [sic] In favour [sic] of the small system of Canals - Which are men Contemplated on an immense scale of extension which you will be explained in my [strikeout] Letter - It is Contemplated to Raise the Whole Revenue by a single [tell] on Canals - which system will Inferably simplify the operations of Government, tend directly to set trade free and annihilate a Mass of Political Absurdities which have hitherto disturbed the peace of [Naleens] - all of Which you will [2] find explained in the annexed Letter, Which Letter will show you how much Frenchmen are turning their mind to the true fountain of Riches - [inserted: viz] home Improvement and Systems of Industry - With the true philosophic Ideas which the entertain of Foreign Possessions and Restricted trade, And I can assure you that I find [inserted: in them] the most Resolute determination to establish the principles [struck: that] Which you will find explained - And Which to me appears of the Very first Importance to Lasting peace - and the Wellfare [sic] of all Nations - It is therefore of much Importance that English Men should know the truth of these principles and Learn their true Interest, [struck: they should also understand that Frenchmen are [illegible by Giving up as the french mean to do and will Compel others to do. the System of foreign Possessions and Restricted trade they should also understand that Frenchmen [3] Are Realy [sic] thinking Like philosophers Which I hope my Letter will prove - Which Letter although addressed to you, I mean should be published In england [sic] In order to awaken the mind to Reflect on the subject of Canal System. Simple taxation home Improvement and a free trade - having put those Ideas together I saw the difficulty of getting them Read or thought of in England unless they were Introduced In such a Manner as to awaken Curiosity I therefore hope that your full sense of the vast Importance of Cultivating just political Ideas will Induce you to have the Letters printed under the following title, Two Letters [struck: dated] [inserted: from] Paris [inserted: dated] [struck: April] the 10 and 14th of april Writen [sic] By Robt Fulton to the Right honourable [sic] the Earl of Stanhope Explaining the [struck: Politics of] [inserted: present Projects Contemplated by] the government, [inserted: of France] [struck: their views with Regard to future Revenue their plans of [Agrandisement], and [4] views with Regard to Foreign possessions, and trade], 1t their plans of [inserted: future] Agrandizement [sic] - 2 their system of acquiring [struck: future] [inserted: vast] [struck: vast] [inserted: an immense] Revenue. 3 [inserted: and] Their Veins with Regard to Foreign Possessions and trade, - This title sounds high and under the present state of the public Mind will awaken [struck: the] curiosity. Which Curiosity [inserted: before Reading] Will Conceive nothing But, a system of devestation [sic] Can arise from such [struck: Ideas] plans - This Curiosity will sieze [sic] them to Read, and then I hope they find that all those plans are Nursed In the Lap of humanity I therefore Beg of you as the most particular favour [sic] that you will give it either to Debret or Stockdale Picadilly and order[struck: ed] [inserted: it] With the above title to be im[inserted: m]ediatly [sic] pinted [sic] = Extracts in the Newspapers m[inserted: e]arly [sic] Intimating that the french Were about to establish a System of Canals [5] to pass through all parts of the Republic and by which they ment [sic] to Rase [sic] a Revenue - would also perhaps be of Use in drawing the thoughts of Government to so great a Sourse [sic] of Riches - and teach them to think Less of Foreign possessions or duties on trade to Raise Revenues - I also wish the Letter to arrive in america [sic] before me in order that my Countrymen may feel that Europeans have some thoughts of Canal System and simple taxation - this Is indeed a great plan And [struck: In order] that I may be of all possible use in bringing it about it is necessary My opinion should have some Weight in america Some I believe it has but more Is necessary and such a Letter Introduced In the manner I have proposed Will add much to It. You [sic] expanded mind will see the true policy [6] Which the principles Contains - You will also [sic] see Why I am obliged to make use of [struck: them to] some Little private Policy and usher my Letter Into the World by mean of you In order to get it Read You know me two [sic] well to Impute thus to a vain Wish to appear In print, and you will [struck: Impute] [inserted: attribute] it to the true cause the desire to promote the public good by Introducing such public Improvements as I am Acquainted With - To My Lady Stanhope Ladies Hester and Grizelda and my Lord M[illegible] Remember me kindly - Also to Mr Joice and Mr Preston Believing me very truly and Sincerely yours Robert Fulton, PS I shall sail for america In about a Month, Do not suffer the printer to Change the [7] title, or a single word In the Whole Letter - not that I think I cannot be mended but if they begin to alter the Chance is equal that they make it worse - [docket] Letters. to the Earl of Stanhope From R. F.